Re: I'm surprised ...
 

Like you, Margaret, we (him and me) won't use the self-serve area of the Supermarkets. We are quite capable of doing so of course but choose not to on principle. The Supermarket giants make enough profit without reducing staff numbers - which is what the self-serve is all about, says cynical me. Also when we spend our money with them we certainly (and rightly) expect good personalised service.

As for cutting down on staff, our local Supermarket had no Express lanes open on a busy Saturday morning - and so his nibs had a long wait to be served with only a few items. Wasn't happy, sent in a complaint, and got a $20 gift voucher with an apology!!!!!

Sorry, I've wandered off-thread, as usual.

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

Back on thread. The Matildas became the first senior Australian soccer team to win a game in the knockout stages of a World Cup. Whatever happens next, this is quite some achievement. NOW they will be getting the accolades and the media coverage they so richly deserve. Go girls!!!!!

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

...and of course best wishes to the English team. Goes without saying. I might have been gone from England for many years but I'm still an Englishwoman at heart.

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

Here's an interesting piece for you Mr C, you old curmugeon. ;)


The Dick, Kerr Ladies' FC

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

No problemo ... In India, there are hundreds of thousands of folks sitting by a phone, just waiting for your call;)

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

And watching the games is much more fun than reading about what Angel di Maria plans to do, or how much money Raheem Stirling will be making, or how many more of FIFA's top brass have been indicted.:rolleyes:

And for Canada: Switzerland was the first European team they have ever beaten in this competition; and it's the first time they made it out of the group stage. And for those English fans who don't take us Canucks seriously unless we are wearing skates and carrying big sticks, Canada's last game before the competition began was a 1-0 victory against England in a friendly.:D

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

they are not sitting in the local branch of WHSmith.......which is where I was doing my gift buyig.......and when they get on the phone to me and tell me that their name is William Smith....I tell them that my name is Mahatma Gandhi!
They get short shrift too if I haven't rung them.

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

Invariably when I use a self-service, something goes wrong, and one of the staff has to come along with a swipe card to reset the screen.

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

Thing is if yeh do use em, the machine cant tell if yer old enough to purchase wine, so yeh have to wait until someone is free to sort it out, faster? I dont think so.:rolleyes:

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You're right. It'd be quicker going to one of the Express check-outs. Funny thing is, the other week I was in Tesco Great Harwood, and the girl serving me was under 18, so she had to ask her supervisor for permission to serve me alcohol!

Re: I'm surprised ...
 

Germany V France and China V U.S.A. Friday then on Saturday Australia V Japan and England V Canada. Looks like a couple of busy days eh Eric. I fancy Germany V China, maybe that,s just a wish, for one semi final and Australia V doesn't matter in the other semi. I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised at the standard of play, the ladies have come a long way since the last time I watched a game.
If the U.S. don,t win the cup wait for the complaints on the pitches.

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Regarding women’s sporting achievements in most sports, whether team or individual, it is very annoying to listen to the condescending attitude of the (usually male) sports commentators. Some of the comments and the way they are delivered make me want to spew. It’s almost like ‘imagine women being able to do that’ attitude.

Also, the inequality of the pay system between women and their male counterparts is very unfair. I know the Matildas (the Australian women’s team) get a pittance when compared to the Socceroos (the Australian men’s team). Apparently this might be about to change – time will tell.

In the sporting arena so many participants (male and female) find it hard to get assistance on the way up and struggle to survive, the powers-that-be don’t seem to care, but once they achieve success, WOW! then everyone wants to get in on the act – they are feted as being ‘ours’.

OK, now I'll get off my soapbox.

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Shouldn't the Australian women's team be the Sheilas?

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I think it probably comes from the old song 'Waltzing Matilda'......probably the term Sheila to mean a female, came much later....But I am happy to be educated if this is not so.

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Well, tomorrow's the big day for Canada and England. There will be 55,000 at B.C. Place ... 54,999 of them cheering for Canada:D It could make it tough for the English girls; on the other hand, it might just inspire them. Whatever; let's hope for a good game.

Seems like the Germans are the team to beat. That's ok. The only time the Germans have beaten Canada at Germany's national sport was at Dieppe in 1942, and that was only because Canada's English manager came up with a lousy strategy.;)

Just crossed my mind: before the game starts the band will play both of Canada's National Anthems.:theband: